Calibration is a process in which an audio system is tuned with respect to acoustics of a space using Digital Signal Processors to get most optimum performance from the system and requires expensive precision measurement tools, great ears, graph reading skills & years of experience. Tools comprises Class 1 / Class A Real Time Analysers (Hardware or Software Based), High End Measurement Microphones, High End Audio Interfaces etc.
A system's performance is not only dependent on the system itself but also on other aspects of the space, like the shape & size, acoustic parameters (reverberation time) & lighting design etc. Compromise on any of these can result in disastrous results in worst case scenarios. A careful inspection into these aspects at the design stage would avoid future complications & any structural and / or MEP rework that may come at a premium.
There are calculations behind technical parameters like the size of a display, maximum viewing distance, height of installation, brightness etc. Likewise, the location and height of loudspeakers, horizontal & vertical tilt & coverage in terms of audio, lighting design for video conferencing spaces. All of these are critical parameters that need to be taken care of at the time of design & installation. In the Professional Audio-Visual industry, all standards are specified by AVIXA, a Global non-profit organization for AV Companies & related professionals.
Lighting design is critically important in all meeting rooms, board rooms, collaboration spaces, town hall spaces and even in performance theatres where one or more cameras are being used for video conferencing or visual broadcasting / streaming. Basic intent of lighting design in these spaces is to make the participants well-lit from all sides using key lights, fill lights, back lights & wall wash etc. without making any light fixtures glaring into participants' eyes and / or cameras’ lenses. Controlling ambient light becomes important when using reflecting or refractive display technologies (like screen & projection systems).
In addition to full range loudspeakers, Subwoofers extend the low frequencies further down & energize these sub or very low frequencies to achieve a well-balanced full frequency spectrum. These sub frequencies are more felt than heard. Subwoofers are a must in most performance spaces with heavy music applications. It may be a good idea to add some units in a background or foreground music system in premium spaces where it is important to maintain excellent sonic characteristics of musical content. Conference Room systems, PA systems or basic background music systems certainly do not require subwoofers.
Most 'AV over IP' audio visual systems can make use of an existing gigabit network following IEEE standards of IT & Networking and simplifies the installation, control, monitoring & system maintenance. Less hardware in the system signal path also leads to less points of failure. This also means that the in-house IT team can also monitor, maintain, and follow the first level of troubleshooting for any faults and receive on-line troubleshooting guidance from the respective manufacturer’s support team.